Judges

Prof. (Dr.) Akshat Mehta

National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU)

Prof. (Dr.) Akshat Mehta is a double M.A. (in Police Administration and Public Administration); Ph.D. in Public Administration; and UGC NET & JRF in Public Administration. He has more than Seventeen Years of PG Teaching experience. Currently, he is serving as a Professor and Dean at the School of Police Science and Security Studies at the National Forensic Sciences University (An Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India),

Gandhinagar, Gujarat. He was appointed as a Lecturer when the M.A. in Police Administration Programme was introduced at Panjab University, Chandigarh in the academic session 2007-08. Subsequently, in 2010, he became an Assistant Professor, Police Administration at the Centre for Police Administration, Panjab University where he served till December 2016. He was appointed as an Associate Professor, Police Administration at the Raksha Shakti University (India’s First Internal Security & Police University), Ahmedabad, Gujarat in December 2016, where he worked as Head of the Department, Police Administration and then Director, School of Internal Security and Police Administration (SISPA). He served as In-charge Registrar, Raksha Shakti University from March to September 2019. He was also an Executive Council Member of the Police-Academia Interaction Forum (PAIF) set up by Gujarat Police and three Universities to strengthen the Police-Academia linkages.

The University was elevated to an Institution of National Importance as Rashtriya Raksha University under the aegis of Union Ministry of Home Affairs in October 2020 and he served as University Dean from October 2020 till 12th July 2023. In addition to academic responsibilities, he was steering the collaborative endeavours of the University with various Central Armed Police Forces, State Police Organizations and other Security Organizations. In addition, he represented the University at the Annual INTERPA Conference in Turkey; held deliberations with technical working groups of the Police Academy of Cambodia at Phnom Penh; and visited the SEAMEO Secretariat in Thailand.

He has to his credit several publications and has delivered lectures/ presentations at various National and International (Australia and Singapore) academic events. The themes of his publications and presentations include Police as Frontline Corona Warriors; Police Administration: Pivot of Criminal Justice System; Policing in Crisis Management during Natural Disasters: Role of India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF); Police Reforms and Good Governance in India; Internal Security Challenges; Re-defining Police Image; Women in Indian Police; Police-Media Relations; Traffic Awareness & Road Safety; SMART Policing; and Private Security Industry in India: Challenges and Future Prospects; Correctional Administration; and India’s Strategic ‘Plurilateral’ Engagement.

He has contributed to developing e-content for several modules on Indian Administration and Cyber Criminology for UGC’s e-PG Pathshala Programme. Notably, he has prepared an e-content titled ‘Cyber Policing and Cyber Crime Investigation’. He has also worked on four research/consultancy projects including on the themes of Community Policing and Conviction Rate Improvement.

He has been supervising several M. Phil. & Ph. D. students on an array of topics in the discipline of Police Administration along with Private Security; Six of his Ph. D. students and Fourteen of his M.Phil. Students have been awarded Degrees so far.

Prof. Akshat Mehta has been a panellist on Television Channels and has also been part of several Community Radio Programmes discussing the current issues relating to Policing and Internal Security.

Capt. Amit Rai

ASIS International

With over 16+ years of experience across Business strategy, P&L, procurement, budgeting, technology integration, negotiations, purchase, vendor management, and leading high-performance teams — I’ve had the privilege of serving the both Indian Armed Forces and corporate world like , SBI Life -SBP , Fullerton & IIFL

As the world shifts towards sustainable development, I’m deeply focused on leveraging IoT, ESG principles, and disciplined, task-oriented leadership to support organizations on their journey to Net Zero.

Passionate about building future-ready systems that align profitability with responsibility on IoT & AI 🤖

Ankur Gupta

Fire Security Association of India (FSAI)

Ankur is a fire and security professional with over 26 years of experience. For the past 17 years, he has been deeply involved in the integration of Extra-Low Voltage (ELV) systems, showcasing his expertise in this specialised field. Currently serving as a Key Decision Maker at Secure Automation Consultants (SAC), Ankur has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s success. He is a proud member of FSAI since 2015, and since then, he has been actively engaged in society’s events and programs at the Chapter and National levels.Ankur is a fire and security professional with over 26 years of experience. For the past 17 years, he has been deeply involved in the integration of Extra-Low Voltage (ELV) systems, showcasing his expertise in this specialised field. Currently serving as a Key Decision Maker at Secure Automation Consultants (SAC), Ankur has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s success. He is a proud member of FSAI since 2015, and since then, he has been actively engaged in society’s events and programs at the Chapter and National levels.%MCEPASTEBIN%

Dipesh Gupta

Industry Representative

Dipesh Gupta is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader with a strong track record across the Defence, Aerospace, and Homeland Security sectors. As the Managing Director of VEDA Defense Systems Pvt Ltd, VEDA Aeronautics Pvt Ltd, and VEDAAS Softech Pvt Ltd, he has played a pivotal role in building cutting-edge capabilities in unmanned systems, defence technologies, and advanced aerospace solutions.

With extensive experience in business planning, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, business development, and marketing strategy, Dipesh is recognised for his ability to scale technology-driven organisations and lead teams in high-growth, high-technology environments.

He is a proud alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and the S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, bringing a strong academic foundation to his leadership roles.

Under his leadership, VEDA Aeronautics continues to expand its footprint in India’s rapidly growing UAV and aerospace domain. He is actively engaged across industry networks and is widely respected for his strategic insight, collaborative approach, and commitment to advancing India’s defence and aerospace capabilities.

Probal DasGupta

Founder, Max City Literature Festival

Probal is founder of the corporate advisory firm Birdstone Consulting where he helps clients make informed business decisions on complex issue. Birdstone advises clients on fraud investigations, dispute support, strategic investment risks, reputation turnaround, business intelligence, political risks, corporate governance. He has worked with some of the most reputed advisory firms including Crosby Textor, Kroll and Duff & Phelps, Control Risks among others.

Probal DasGupta is an acclaimed historian, author, corporate leader and an army veteran. He has two best-selling books to this credit. These are “Watershed 1967: India’s Forgotten War with China” (Juggernaut, 2020) and the recent runaway hit “Camouflaged: Forgotten Stories from Battlefields” (Juggernaut 2023). Watershed 1967 was in The Asian Age’s Top Ten Bestseller list and was featured on BBC and Discovery Channel. Hindustan Times chose it as the Editor’s Book of the Week. The Hindu and Times of India included it among the top books on China. Probal has been interviewed by all prominent news media in India and overseas.

Probal is founder of the corporate advisory firm Birdstone Consulting where he helps clients make informed business decisions on complex issues and advises them on fraud investigations, dispute support, strategic investment risks, reputation turnaround, business intelligence, political risks, corporate governance. He has earlier headed up some of the most reputed risk consulting firms that include Crosby Textor, Kroll, Duff & Phelps, Control Risks among others. He is also a columnist for FirstPost.

Pramoud Rao

Fire Security Association of India (FSAI)

Pramoud Rao, a first-generation entrepreneur, is a pioneer who transformed the landscape of fax machines and electronic security in India. As the former Promoter and Managing Director of Zicom Electronic Security Systems Ltd., he introduced electronic security to the country in 1994. Today, he continues to pursue innovation through ventures in pet safety and senior citizen safety, reflecting his commitment to creating smarter and safer solutions for the future.

Purvesh Gada

ASIS International

Purvesh Gada is a seasoned professional with qualitative experience in various command and operational appointments with the Army and major corporates. Purvesh also specializes in Fraud Risk Management and Crisis and Disaster Management.

In the Armed Forces, he served in intensive counterinsurgency and field operations before moving into corporate roles. Since 2008, he has gained deep experience in fraud risk and security risk advisory within corporate settings, including project managing leading global security operations ERP, ATOM. He has managed diverse security improvement projects covering airports, metro systems, major enterprises, and global security ecosystems, and has consistently delivered fraud risk management and physical security design projects for enterprise and critical infrastructure sectors.

Purvesh is a global steering committee member of ASIS Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM) committee, Chapter leader for Maharashtra Chapter of GACS, fellow of SECONA and participates in Fire and Security Association of India. He holds a Masters degree in Economics of Fire Disaster Management. He is a Doctoral Student in the Discipline of Fire Disaster Management in High Rise buildings.

Rajeev Sharma

President, The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India

Rajeev Sharma, Cluster Managing Director – India, Nepal & Bangladesh, G4S, An Allied Universal® Company, has had a long and successful journey with G4S. Prior to this role, he was Managing Director of G4S India’s Secure Solutions business where he demonstrated a commendable degree of professionalism and contributed significantly to the growth of the overall business. Rajeev has more than 30 years of cross-industry and offshore experience in leading teams to deliver sustainable business, innovative solutions and the launch of many firsts in the industry. He is a science honors graduate from Bhopal University.

As a stealth leader and strategist, he connects downward, upward and across businesses, actualizing the value. Maximizing “management by walking around”, he champions, energizes and unifies all stakeholders. Prior to joining G4S, Rajeev worked as Head of Cargo Business with Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. Previously, he has worked in various roles as Vice President for D&J business with Brinks Inc., Director Guarding & International business with Tops Security Limited. The initial years of his career were with Gati and Elbee (UPS). Rajeev has tremendous exposure in the financial management of the business and is hands-on with M&A projects, has managed multiple acquisitions, including a cross-border acquisition in the security space. 

Rajeev is extremely well networked within the corporate space and enjoys a reputation of being a straight shooter and highly versatile. He is Chair of the FICCI PSI Committee and President of The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India (EU Chambers). He belongs to Mumbai and currently lives with his wife in Gurugram. Rajeev has a son who is a certified flight instructor based in the USA.

Rama Shankar Pandey

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

Social Defence Fellow of Indian Administrative Fellowship at Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government Of India

Former CEO Tata Green Batteries, Former MD Hella India Lighting Ltd., Director at Paracoat Products Ltd. & Alankar Automotive Pvt. Lt.

A Dynamic Board Member, integral part of leadership at the Indian Automotive & Auto components Industry, known for his contribution as narrative builder for its Automotive Safety and Sustainability, Rama Shankar Pandey has the distinction of becoming one of India’s youngest professional CEO & MD for any listed MNC in India. Winner of The Economic Times most promising business leader of Asia & ET CSR Award Winner, he is founding member of two social startups, Chairman of Road Safety at FICCI, Chairman of Aftermarket at ACMA and in the leadership board of ACMA, ASDC & MEPSC.

As a social entrepreneur, he is a tireless Road Safety Activist and a champion for Workplace Happiness, People Development, and Skilling. Beyond the boardroom, he shares his wisdom as a budding author and a teacher at AOL, inspiring thousands to embrace stress-free living through alignment of individual passion with purposeful & profitable outcome for society at large.

In last two and half decades, he has transformed businesses through innovative strategies and applying technology for larger societal purpose. He pioneered skill development and road safety initiatives at India scale.

His 26 Years in the Industry, working for BOSCH, TIMKEN, HELLA and Tata Green Batteries, with purpose-driven approach, earned recognitions by dozens of institutions of excellence, including CII, FICCI, Great Place to Work and case study on the same approach at Hella has a popular listing on Havard Business Review. He is Chairman of Auto Aftermarket Industry vertical at Auto Component Manufacturers Association of India. An alumnus of IIM Bangalore, MICA Ahmedabad, ICFAI Hyderabad and NIT Calicut, he collaborates with industry bodies, NGOs, and government organizations to promote technology for road safety.

Recently, he has been selected as a Social Defence Fellow by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Govt. of India to work on Project of National Importance for 18 Months. Founder of Non Profit Startup www.prayaas.org . he is also Volunteer President of NGO Drive Smart, Drive Safe (https://www.clubd2s.com/). Fellow Member of IOD-Institute of Directors and Life Member at AIMA- All India Management Association, he is also Volunteer Teacher at Art of Living.

Passionate about people development  through apprenticeship, making learning, skilling ecosystem aspirational, he mentors youths and startups with the theme of #PassionWithPurpose.

Robin Banerjee

Vice President, The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India

Robin Banerjee is an accomplished global business leader and currently serves as the Chairman of Nucleon Research Pvt Ltd, a leading clinical research company with an international footprint.

He previously served as the Managing Director of Caprihans India Ltd for over a decade. Before that, he held several senior leadership roles in India and abroad, including: General Manager at Hindustan Unilever, Managing Director at Arcelor-Mittal Germany, Executive Director at Thomas Cook, Executive Director at Essar Steel, and Group CFO & Member of the Global Boards at Suzlon Energy.

Robin is a Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, Company Secretary, and holds an M.Com degree.

He sits on multiple Boards, including the Board of Studies for Independent Directors at the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (Govt. of India) and the SME Chamber of India. He currently serves as the Vice President of the EU Chambers of Commerce. He is also the Immediate Past Chairman of the CII Maharashtra State Council and has previously served as Chairman of CII (Western India) for Corporate Governance & ESG.

Robin has been honoured with two prestigious Hall of Fame Awards:

• Finance Hall of Fame by CFO India magazine (Feb 2023)

• Manufacturing Hall of Fame by Manufacturing Today magazine (Sept 2023)

He is also a successful author of three business non-fiction bestsellers:

“Corporate Frauds: Bigger, Broader, Bolder” (2022) — Amazon Best-Seller
“Who Blunders and How” (2019) — National Bestseller
“Who Cheats & How” (2015) — available in English, Hindi, and Marathi; an Amazon Best-Seller

Lt. Gen. Sudhir Sharma

Enterprise Asia

Lt. Gen Sudhir Sharma has handled distinguished leadership, staff, instructional and diplomatic assignments, including command of the largest operational force in the world. He has lead and modernized the logistics of the 1.3 million-strong Indian Army, and was India’s Defence Attaché in London. He has been on the Board/Panel of Advisors/Governors of large Indian/global corporations.

Lt. Gen Sharma is an acknowledged thought leader and expert on defence, homeland and corporate security. He advises corporations, defence, diplomatic and homeland security (HLS) think-tanks, and is a speaker and author of repute. He has been providing his valuable insights on the most salient economic and political risk factors hovering over the globe, in major international forums like The Horasis Annual Meeting, Switzerland & Ireland, Global Arab Summit, Secure Tech etc.

Lt Gen Sharma has been decorated for gallantry as well as distinguished service. He has been felicitated on two occasions by the President of India for leadership and devotion to duty and country.

A strong votary of safe, secure, responsible and sustainable development, General Sharma is passionate about ecology, environment and entrepreneurship. He is a well-recognized leadership coach and has mentored startups, and helped them realize their potential.

Shekhar Mehta

Global Association for Corporate Services (GACS)

Shekhar Mehta is a seasoned Security Professional with 21-year experience in Security Management which includes Governance and Control, Security Operation, Security Projects, and other domains related to a modern-day senior security management role. He specializes in transport security regulations and practices. Specially trained and highly experienced in protective services including Close Protection, Executive Protection and Event & Venue Security, along with the safety and security of business travelers in South Asia Region and well versed in global best practices in security management particularly standards and guidelines advocated by International Standard Organisation (ISO).

Shekhar is active amongst fraternity groups like GACS – Security Advisory Wing (Core Member), PSP (Core Committee Member), ASIS Member – Pune and Mumbai Chapters

Sunil Beedlam

Global Association for Corporate Services (GACS)

Sunil Beedlam is an accomplished Operations and Management professional with over 26 years of rich and diversified experience across security operations, administration, employee transport management, and end-to-end guest and employee issue resolution. He has a proven track record in managing audits, emergency response, liaison with law enforcement agencies, surveillance, risk analysis, policy formulation, business continuity planning, and vendor/contract management, including oversight of SLAs and SOWs.

Sunil possesses strong expertise in general administration, encompassing planning, execution, monitoring, budgeting, training, and efficient resource management. He has successfully spearheaded comprehensive operational and administrative functions, including high-level events, conferences, and VIP visits, ensuring seamless coordination and excellence in delivery.

Highly proficient in implementing stringent processes and control measures, Sunil consistently provides optimised operational solutions that support and accelerate business objectives. He is known for his ability to manage multiple complex tasks under pressure and against strict deadlines, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and compliance.

An enterprising and people-focused leader, Sunil excels at motivating teams, fostering collaboration, and driving organisations toward their strategic goals while adhering to industry best practices.

Professional Memberships:

• OSAC – Overseas Security Advisory Council, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State

• ISSP – International Society for Security Professionals

• PSP Group – Core Committee Member, Pune Security Professionals

• HSWG – Hotel Security Working Group

• ASIS – American Society for Industrial Security, Mumbai Chapter